FreshStart Project - Information, Advocacy & Befriending
Our Information Service is for Carers and for anyone 50+
We have both local and national information on a vast range of issues relating to your life - and if we do not have the details you need we always know someone who does.
We can help you with getting hold of the information you need and we can help you make the right choices for you.
Our Advocacy Service is for Carers and for anyone over 50+
If you are struggling to get hold of the right person, of you feel that you are being passed from one person to the next, the Carers' Support Centre can help you through the maze.
Advocacy is: - About having your opinions and your views heard
An Advocate is: - Someone who will support you to make the choices that are inportant in your life.
An Advocate will:-
- Listen to you and help you to put your views across
- Make sure that you are included in all decisions made about you
- Provide you with information to help you make choices
- Be honest with you
An Advocate will not:-
- Make any promises they can't keep
- Make a decision for you
- Talk about you or your situation to anyone else without your permission
Befriending Service
Who needs a Befriender?
If you are a Carer, or have recently become an ex-Carer, and you feel lost, lonely and need someone to talk to and you would rather it be someone separate from your normal circle of friends then having support from a Befriender could be for you.
If you feel confined and overwhelmed by your caring responsibilties, if you lack confidence or you need someone to listen to you then a Befriender may be able to help.
What is Befriending about?
Befrienders are volunteers who provide supportive, informal friendships based on trust, respect and confidentiality.
Befrienders do not...
- replace health professionals or counsellors
- provide domestic help or personal care
- make difficult decisions for you
How long does it last?
The time limit on Befriending is flexible but to ensure both parties know what to expect, an informal contract stating a time limit is set and reviewed every 6 weeks thus ensuring both Befriender and Befriendee are happy.
A Befriender will...
- take time getting to know you
- listen to and discuss anything that is worrying you
- value your opinions and beliefs
- encourage you to talk
A Befriender will support their Befriendee
in coping with life challenges through empathy and friendship
Should you want to find out further information and guidance on how to get involved in befriending
please contact the Carers Support Centre on 01652 650585.
